Politicshttp://wnpr.org
enThe Wheelhouse: Don't Call It The Buswayhttp://wnpr.org/post/wheelhouse-dont-call-it-busway
<p>Listen live on April 1, 2014 at 9:00 am EDT.</p><p>After years of debate, controversy, and construction, commuters can finally take CTfastrak (aka, the busway). It's less than a week old, but how's it going so far? This hour,&nbsp;our weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse discusses the long road to opening day for this bus rapid transit system.</p><p>Also, Governor Dannel Malloy is making the rounds on national television shows after he signed the first executive order banning state-funded travel to Indiana after recently passed "religious freedom" legislation. The self-described "porcupine" governor is showing his quills to the country.</p><p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 19:29:47 +0000Tucker Ives38298 at http://wnpr.orgThe Wheelhouse: Don't Call It The BuswayLocal Control Focus of Concern for Proposed State Transit Development Authorityhttp://wnpr.org/post/local-control-focus-concern-proposed-state-transit-development-authority
<p>Municipal leaders say they’re deeply concerned about legislation that would see the state taking a bigger role in transit-oriented development in towns.&nbsp;</p><p>The bill that’s currently before the legislature would create a Transit Corridor Development Authority.&nbsp;</p><p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 19:03:05 +0000Harriet Jones38292 at http://wnpr.orgLocal Control Focus of Concern for Proposed State Transit Development AuthorityGov. Malloy Bans State-Sponsored Travel to Indiana, Citing Bigotry Concernshttp://wnpr.org/post/gov-malloy-bans-state-sponsored-travel-indiana-citing-bigotry-concerns
<p>Governor Dannel Malloy signed an executive order Monday, banning all state sponsored travel to Indiana.</p><p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:34:51 +0000Ray Hardman38281 at http://wnpr.orgGov. Malloy Bans State-Sponsored Travel to Indiana, Citing Bigotry ConcernsDeveloping Transit Corridors in Connecticuthttp://wnpr.org/post/developing-transit-corridors-connecticut
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Governor </span>Dannel<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> Malloy’s transportation plans have been in the news a lot since the start of the new year. He’s set a bunch of goals -- some of them far off in the future -- but hasn’t yet figured out a way to pay for them.</span></p><p>We’re starting to see signs of Malloy’s efforts to figure it out in the form of proposed bills at the state legislature.&nbsp;</p><p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 13:00:00 +0000Heather Brandon38223 at http://wnpr.orgDeveloping Transit Corridors in ConnecticutFour Troopers Sue State Police Union Over Paying Dueshttp://wnpr.org/post/four-troopers-sue-state-police-union-over-paying-dues
<p>Four troopers who opted out of the Connecticut State Police Union have filed a lawsuit claiming they're being forced to continue paying full union dues in violation of their constitutional rights.&nbsp;</p><p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:31:54 +0000Associated Press38274 at http://wnpr.orgHartford Registrars Take Fight to Court This Weekhttp://wnpr.org/post/hartford-registrars-take-fight-court-week
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">As Hartford's city council seeks to remove them, all three registrars of voters have filed suit in state court asking a judge to stand in the council's way. And on Wednesday, at least one of them will be before a state court judge asking him for emergency scheduling measures.</span></p><p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 02:14:34 +0000Jeff Cohen38263 at http://wnpr.orgHartford Registrars Take Fight to Court This WeekSegarra's Chief of Staff Moves to Mayoral Campaignhttp://wnpr.org/post/segarras-chief-staff-moves-mayoral-campaign
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">After a rough start to his reelection campaign, Hartford Mayor Pedro </span>Segarra<span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;is again staffing up his effort with new people. &nbsp;One comes from within his administration, the other is a former television reporter.</span></p><p>Mon, 30 Mar 2015 22:24:18 +0000Jeff Cohen38258 at http://wnpr.orgSegarra's Chief of Staff Moves to Mayoral CampaignIndiana GOP To Revisit Law; Paper Weighs In With Full Page Editorialhttp://wnpr.org/post/amid-criticism-indianas-republicans-revisit-religious-freedom-law
<strong>Update, 11:17 p.m. ET</strong><p>The Indianapolis Star's editorial board is weighing in on the matter, rather loudly, in tomorrow's edition.<p><strong>Update, 8:55 p.m.Mon, 30 Mar 2015 15:43:00 +0000Krishnadev Calamur38228 at http://wnpr.orgIndiana GOP To Revisit Law; Paper Weighs In With Full Page EditorialThe Ethics of Privacy: The Last Two Decadeshttp://wnpr.org/post/ethics-privacy-last-two-decades
<p></p><p><a href="http://www.courant.com/business/connecticut-insurance/hc-anthem-letters-data-breach-20150327-story.html" style="line-height: 1.5;">The data breach that affected Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> in February affected more than a million and a half current and past Connecticut members. Most recently, Anthem announced they’ll be sending letters to those whose data was possibly leaked, offering them two years of free credit monitoring. We'll get an update.&nbsp;</span></p>Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:37:22 +0000Catie Talarski & John Dankosky38058 at http://wnpr.orgThe Ethics of Privacy: The Last Two DecadesSticking Points In Iran Nuclear Talks: Sanctions And A Fuel Stockpilehttp://wnpr.org/post/sticking-points-iran-nuclear-talks-sanctions-and-fuel-stockpile
With Tuesday's deadline for an international deal on Iran's nuclear program approaching, foreign ministers from Iran and six world powers are trying to hash out an agreement.Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:32:00 +0000Bill Chappell38210 at http://wnpr.orgSticking Points In Iran Nuclear Talks: Sanctions And A Fuel StockpileA Hartford Registrar Pushes Back, Asks State Court to Intervenehttp://wnpr.org/post/hartford-registrar-pushes-back-asks-state-court-intervene
<p>As Hartford's city council gets ready for proceedings to remove its three elected registrars of voters, one of those registrars has filed suit in state court and asked a judge to stop the process.</p><p>Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:00:37 +0000Jeff Cohen38108 at http://wnpr.orgA Hartford Registrar Pushes Back, Asks State Court to InterveneWith Reid Out, Republicans See An Opportunityhttp://wnpr.org/post/reid-out-republicans-see-opportunity
Harry Reid, the wily Democratic Senate leader, was likely — once again — to be one of the most vulnerable incumbents up for re-election in 2016.<p>Few, though, would have bet the house against Reid — a sharp-elbowed campaigner — especially in a presidential year when demography will favor Democrats in a state where almost 3 in 10 people are Hispanic.<p>"Do you really want to go up against Harry Reid?" said one national GOP operative, pointing out Reid's bare-knuckles style of campaigning.<p>But with Reid announcing Friday he will not run for re-election, it's a different story.<p>"It's a totalFri, 27 Mar 2015 18:18:00 +0000Domenico Montanaro38118 at http://wnpr.orgWith Reid Out, Republicans See An OpportunityDespite Campaign Bumps, Some Segarra Supporters Unconcernedhttp://wnpr.org/post/despite-campaign-bumps-some-segarra-supporters-unconcerned
<p>It's been a rough few weeks for both the administration and reelection campaign of Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra. But his&nbsp;supporters say there's a lot of time left before any votes are counted.&nbsp;</p><p>Thu, 26 Mar 2015 17:48:08 +0000Jeff Cohen38063 at http://wnpr.orgDespite Campaign Bumps, Some Segarra Supporters UnconcernedFormer State Representative to Stand Trial on Election Fraud Chargeshttp://wnpr.org/post/former-state-representative-stand-trial-election-fraud-charges
<p>Former Bridgeport state Rep. Christina Ayala has turned down a plea deal with prosecutors and will go to trial on election fraud charges.</p><p><em><a href="http://bit.ly/1IwH3tO" target="_blank">The Connecticut Post</a> </em>reports Ayala and her lawyer appeared Wednesday before Superior Court Judge Earl Richards and confirmed her decision.</p><p>Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:21:52 +0000Associated Press38044 at http://wnpr.orgFormer State Representative to Stand Trial on Election Fraud ChargesHartford's Former Top Lawyer Warns She's Not the Only One With Relatives at City Hallhttp://wnpr.org/post/hartfords-former-top-lawyer-warns-shes-not-only-one-relatives-city-hall
<p>The former top lawyer of Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra is asking the city’s ethics commission to weigh in on whether it was wrong for her relatives to have worked at city hall while she had a high-ranking position.&nbsp;</p><p>Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:11:22 +0000Jeff Cohen38002 at http://wnpr.orgHartford's Former Top Lawyer Warns She's Not the Only One With Relatives at City HallConstruction Set to Begin to Widen I-84 in Waterburyhttp://wnpr.org/post/construction-set-begin-widen-i-84-waterbury
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">A nearly $300 million project widening Interstate 84 in Waterbury is about to begin.</span></p><p><a href="http://rep-am.com/news/local/870254.txt" target="_blank"><em>The Republican-American</em></a> reports&nbsp;that rebuilding the 2.7-mile stretch of highway that Governor Dannel Malloy has called one of the most infamous bottlenecks in Connecticut will begin Monday.</p><p>The state Department of Transportation's contact requires the project to be complete by June 25, 2020.</p><p>Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:59:00 +0000Associated Press37989 at http://wnpr.orgConstruction Set to Begin to Widen I-84 in WaterburyLegislation to Cap Fixed Electric Rates Moves Through Committeehttp://wnpr.org/post/legislation-cap-fixed-electric-rates-moves-through-committee
<p>A bill that would cap charges for electric services paid by residential customers is moving through the Connecticut General Assembly.</p><p>The legislature's Energy and Technology Committee on Tuesday approved a bill capping the monthly, fixed charge at $10. The bill now awaits further action in the Senate.</p><p>Politicians and consumer groups voiced concerns about a recent state decision to increase the fix charges imposed by Eversource Energy from $16 to $19.50. Eversource originally requested a $25.50 charge, saying the revenue is needed to cover the utility's expenses.</p>Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:19:18 +0000Associated Press37991 at http://wnpr.orgLegislation to Cap Fixed Electric Rates Moves Through CommitteeThe Wheelhouse Gets Sentenced to a State of Fiscal Crisishttp://wnpr.org/post/wheelhouse-gets-sentenced-state-fiscal-crisis
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Connecticut's fiscal future seems to be upon us and it's bleak. Last year, budget chief Ben Barnes said, "We have entered into a period of permanent fiscal crisis in state and local government." As lawmakers debate and discuss the state budget, they're learning that Barnes' quote was not hyperbolic.</span></p><p>On our weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse, our panel discusses the on-going budget negotiations and what's on the cutting block. Also, another chapter in the John Rowland/Lisa Wilson-Foley scandal comes to a close as both were sentenced to prison time.</p><p>Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:00:00 +0000Tucker Ives37950 at http://wnpr.orgThe Wheelhouse Gets Sentenced to a State of Fiscal CrisisHartford Auditors: Relatives of Segarra's Former Top Lawyer Hired Throughout City Hallhttp://wnpr.org/post/hartford-auditors-relatives-segarras-former-top-lawyer-hired-throughout-city-hall
<p>Internal auditors at the city of Hartford <a href="http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wnpr/files/Special_Review_of_DPW_Hiring_Practices_Final_Memorandum.pdf" target="_blank">have looked into controversial hirings at the city’s Department of Public Works</a>, following a citizen complaint alleging that relatives of the mayor’s former top lawyer had gotten jobs with the city.&nbsp;</p><p>Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:45:44 +0000Jeff Cohen37939 at http://wnpr.orgHartford Auditors: Relatives of Segarra's Former Top Lawyer Hired Throughout City HallLisa Wilson-Foley to Serve Five Months in Prison for Campaign Schemehttp://wnpr.org/post/lisa-wilson-foley-serve-five-months-prison-campaign-scheme
<p>Former Republican congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley will serve five months in prison for her role in a campaign consulting scandal involving former Governor John Rowland.</p><p>According to reports from inside the federal courtroom in New Haven, Judge Janet Bond Arterton&nbsp;disputed Wilson-Foley's claim that she was a "minor player" in the crime.</p><p>Tue, 24 Mar 2015 17:20:59 +0000Heather Brandon & Tucker Ives37921 at http://wnpr.orgLisa Wilson-Foley to Serve Five Months in Prison for Campaign SchemeIs Ted Cruz Allowed To Run Since He Was Born In Canada?http://wnpr.org/post/ted-cruz-allowed-run-he-was-born-canada
There will be a question from some about Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's eligibility to run for president.<p>That's because even though Cruz grew up in Texas, he was born in Canada. (He <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/20/213691860/u-s-sen-ted-cruz-to-renounce-canadian-citizenship">renounced</a> his Canadian citizenship in 2013.)<p>Democrats are sure to remind voters of Cruz's Canadian birth since some on the right have questioned where President Obama was born. The president is a native of Hawaii.<p>The U.S.Mon, 23 Mar 2015 15:03:00 +0000Domenico Montanaro37868 at http://wnpr.orgIs Ted Cruz Allowed To Run Since He Was Born In Canada?Controversial Transit Corridor Authority Bill Will See Some Changes From Lawmakershttp://wnpr.org/post/controversial-transit-corridor-authority-bill-will-see-some-changes-lawmakers
<p>Lawmakers are planning changes to a controversial proposal from Governor Dannel Malloy that would enable the state to take land near transit stations.</p><p>Mon, 23 Mar 2015 14:57:45 +0000Heather Brandon37866 at http://wnpr.orgControversial Transit Corridor Authority Bill Will See Some Changes From LawmakersLisa Wilson-Foley Faces Sentencing for Scandal Involving Rowlandhttp://wnpr.org/post/lisa-wilson-foley-faces-sentencing-scandal-involving-rowland
<p>Former Republican congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley faces sentencing this week in a scheme to hide a role that former Governor John Rowland played in her campaign.&nbsp;</p><p>Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:24:53 +0000Associated Press37861 at http://wnpr.orgLisa Wilson-Foley Faces Sentencing for Scandal Involving RowlandReforming Our Juvenile Justice System http://wnpr.org/post/reforming-our-juvenile-justice-system
<p></p><p>In her latest book, <a href="http://www.nellbernstein.com/burning-down-the-house/" target="_blank"><em>Burning Down the House</em></a>, journalist and author Nell Bernstein explores the dark side of America’s juvenile justice system. Through the eye-opening stories of incarcerated youths, she argues that it’s time to shut down the nation’s juvenile prisons once and for all.</p><p>Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:00:00 +0000Lydia Brown37832 at http://wnpr.orgReforming Our Juvenile Justice System Ashraf Ghani: U.S. Critical To Afghanistan's Futurehttp://wnpr.org/post/ashraf-ghani-us-critical-afghanistans-future
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tells NPR that most people in his country want a continued U.S. troop presence and that his government is determined to make sure that the self-declared Islamic State does not gain a foothold.<p>Ghani, on an official visit to the United States, spoke in a wide-ranging interview with <em>Morning Edition</em> host Renee Montagne to be broadcast on Monday.<p>He says the perception that Afghans are eager for U.S. troops to leave the country is simply untrue.Mon, 23 Mar 2015 11:27:00 +0000Scott Neuman37834 at http://wnpr.orgAshraf Ghani: U.S. Critical To Afghanistan's Future5 Reasons Cruz Announced His Candidacy Earlyhttp://wnpr.org/post/5-reasons-cruz-announced-his-candidacy-early
Texas Sen.Mon, 23 Mar 2015 11:24:00 +0000Ron Elving37848 at http://wnpr.org5 Reasons Cruz Announced His Candidacy EarlyHillary Clinton Is Ready To 'Stand Out' As A Female Candidatehttp://wnpr.org/post/hillary-clinton-ready-stand-out-female-candidate
At the end of the grueling 2008 primary fight, Hillary Clinton gathered supporters in Washington, D.C., and delivered perhaps the most memorable line of her whole campaign.<p>"Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it," Clinton said to roaring applause.<p>It's a line, one could say, that began paving the way for her seemingly inevitable 2016 campaign.<p>"And the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next tMon, 23 Mar 2015 08:56:00 +0000Tamara Keith37849 at http://wnpr.orgHillary Clinton Is Ready To 'Stand Out' As A Female CandidateGov. Malloy Announces Choice for Insurance Commissionerhttp://wnpr.org/post/gov-malloy-announces-choice-insurance-commissioner
<p>Governor Dannel Malloy has selected Katherine Wade to be Connecticut's next insurance commissioner. Wade has over 20 years experience in the insurance industry, most recently as Cigna's Vice President of Public Policy, Government Affairs and U.S. Compliance.&nbsp;</p><p>Fri, 20 Mar 2015 19:49:36 +0000Ray Hardman37768 at http://wnpr.orgGov. Malloy Announces Choice for Insurance CommissionerBoehner Plans Trip To Israel This Monthhttp://wnpr.org/post/boehner-plans-trip-israel
House Speaker John Boehner plans to travel to Israel at the end of the month, close on the heels of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election and the Israeli leader's controversial address to Congress.<p>Although there are no details on who he might meet in Israel, Boehner "looks forward to visiting the country, discussing our shared priorities for peace and security in the region, and further strengthening the bond between the United States and Israel," his spokesman, Kevin Smith, said in a statement.<p>As The Associated Press notes: "On the surface, the Republican leader's announcementFri, 20 Mar 2015 18:50:00 +0000Scott Neuman37762 at http://wnpr.orgBoehner Plans Trip To Israel This MonthDuring Sunshine Week, White House Exempts Itself From Document Requestshttp://wnpr.org/post/during-sunshine-week-white-house-exempts-itself-document-requests
<p>Sunshine Week is supposed to be dedicated to transparency and openness in government, but President Barack Obama's administration seems to have thumbed its nose at the idea by announcing that the executive office would not comply with Freedom of Information Act requests. &nbsp;</p><p>Fri, 20 Mar 2015 17:47:08 +0000David DesRoches37751 at http://wnpr.orgDuring Sunshine Week, White House Exempts Itself From Document Requests